The Toughest Ultra Races in the World

If you enjoy running trails and think tackling a marathon is easy, then there is an ultra runner hidden inside of you that is waiting to be unleashed. There are many of us who have never considered running long distances such as 50 miles, 100 miles, or for 7 days on self-sufficiency alone. But before you scoff and think running for that long is crazy, realize the world of ultra marathons continues to grow world-wide, and races abound that can put a runner on a great adventure that you can't get anywhere else.

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Whether you're looking to run in the desert or in one of the coldest regions in the world, there's an ultra calling your name. Here are 14 of the toughest races you'll find on Earth. (And before you decide to enter, make sure you know the basics of prepping for an ultra.)

The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc—FranceRunning the legendary Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc will test every part of your body and mind. The course is a complete tour of Mont Blanc Massif, passing through France, Switzerland, and Italy. Steep mountainous trails and extreme cold/wet weather both night and day makes the UTMB the ultra icon that it has become. (Ultratrailmb.com)

Marathon des Sables—Southern MoroccoIn 2015, the Marathon des Sables (MDS) will be celebrating its 30th anniversary. Race Director Patrick Bauer created the MDS to be more than just an ordinary ultra event. It’s now one of the best-organized and biggest multi-day ultra running races in the world. Taking place in the desert of Southern Morocco, the MDS has evolved into an annual social gathering of experienced and new ultra runners from around the world. Not to be taken lightly, the course changes every year, and running the dunes, rocks, and mountains in the heat makes this a very tough, but doable, race. (Darbaroud.com)

The Montane Spine Race—United KingdomThis is the longest non-stop race in the United Kingdom, and it all happens along the Pennine Way—on the National Trail in Britain—during the dead of winter. You’re not just facing the miles ahead of you but also extreme snow, ice, mud, and winds during this week-long race. (Thespinerace.com)

Leadville Trail 100 Run—ColoradoThis out-and-back course in the middle of the Rockies is so difficult that nearly half of the field can’t complete it before the 25-hour time limit. It’s defining feature is a climb to the highest elevation of 12,620 feet on Hope Pass—which you have to do twice—that can chew up and spit out any runner. (Leadvilleraceseries.com)

Western States Endurance Run—CaliforniaFor 40 years Western States has remained as one of the toughest 100-mile races in the world. The race begins in Squaw Valley, California, and juts through the Sierra Nevada Mountains during the last weekend in June—meaning it will be ultra-hot. Runners who finish before the 30-hour overall time limit receive a bronze belt buckle, while finishers in under 24 hours receive a silver belt buckle. (wser.org)

Badwater 135—CaliforniaThis bad boy is for invites only and in the past began below sea level in California’s Death Valley and climbed up 8,360 feet to the trailhead at Mount Whitney. (Starting in 2014 the race will begin in Lone Pine, California, due to Death Valley National Park citing safety concerns.) The race takes place in mid-July, pushing temps up over 120 degrees. There are no aid-stations along the route, so you better bring a crew with you to help you reach the finish line, something not even veteran trail runners manage to do. (Badwater.com)

The North Face TransGranCanaria—Canary Islands, SpainThis race has grown over a decade with over 1,000 participants taking the starting line each year. The TransGranCanaria—which stands for “crossing the Grand Canary Island"—is a destination European ultra spot for elites, but other races at shorter distances allow you to experience this run at mileage you’re capable of completing. (Transgrancanaria.net)

The Track Outback Race—Australia This is a self-supported race through the Aussie outback that has nine stages over a 10-day span. It’s double the distance of the Marathon des Sables and has only garnered a handful of finishers since it first started in 2012. The toughest stage on the last day is over 130 KM itself. (canal-aventure.com)

Spartathlon—GreeceThere is no other place like Greece to test your physical strength and endurance as a runner. Make your own chapter in Greek running history as the course follows the steps of Pheidippdes, who ran this route in 490 B.C. to alert the Spartans to help defend Greece from the Persians. (Spartathlon.gr)

The Jungle Ultra—PeruEveryone should experience the Amazon rainforest and the Andes Mountains. Just not everyone will experience them by racing. You’ll face heavy humidity and have to cross more than 70 rivers to finish, but you’ll never get to see the jungle this way again. (Beyondtheultimate.co.uk)

Distance: 230 KM (143 miles)Features: start with 9,000-foot descent then work back up Max race time: 6 days

Le Grand Raid / Véronique Victoire

Le Grand Raid—Isle of Reunion, France This mountain course also goes by the name “La diagonale des fous” (The Madmen's Diagonal). The route climbs five difficult peaks, with a max elevation of 7,900 feet. Even though finishing times aren’t fast, a majority of those who start the race can finish it due to a nice cutoff time. (Grandraid-reunion.com)

Hardrock Endurance Run 100—ColoradoThis is a difficult 100-mile run with a 48-hour time limit. The course loops around the San Juan Mountain range of Southern Colorado. It draws an international field of runners from over 26 countries, and mountaineering and wilderness survival skills are recommended if you plan on racing. (Hardrock100.com)

6633 Ultra—Canada The numbers “6633” indicate the latitude in degrees and minutes—putting this race smack-dab in the Arctic Circle. Only about a dozen or so racers have completed the full 350-mile race in the past few years. (6633ultra.com)

The Barkley—TennesseeThe world’s most secretive 100-mile ultra race is the Barkley. (Sorry there is no official website for this race.) The annual field of runners is limited to only 40 people because it takes place in Frozen Head State park in Tennessee. For good reasons, the park limits the amount of people who can run in the parklands. If you want to race it, you’ll have to pen an essay for the race director—who you find contact information for from previous runners—on “Why I should be allowed to run the Barkley” for entrance. Just finding your way into this race is a test in itself!

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